Anganwadi centres take digital, infra leap to boost child welfare, community health

Ranchi: Jharkhand is undergoing a remarkable digital transformation, with smartphones playing a pivotal role in improving connectivity, education, economic development, and, significantly, in strengthening service delivery for nutrition and early childhood education.

Recently, the Department of Women, Child Development, and Social Security distributed 37,810 smartphones to Anganwadi Workers (Sevikas) across the state. These devices are proving to be game changers in empowering frontline workers with tools for real-time data collection, digital service delivery, and improved beneficiary engagement.

"The smartphone has helped me develop data entry skills, confidently verify beneficiaries using facial authentication, and independently provide Take-Home Rations (THR) and other services," says Sarita Kumari, an Anganwadi worker at Sukuruhuttu Centre, Kanke project, Ranchi.

With Aadhaar verification and facial authentication now mandatory to avail ICDS services, Sevikas no longer need to rely on family members' phones. They are now digitally empowered to perform their duties independently and efficiently.

This empowerment has driven a dramatic increase in verified beneficiaries—from 17,44,100 (48.03%) in March 2023 to 30,11,829 (97.22%) as of March 31, 2025. Anganwadi workers across 38,523 centres are now uploading real-time data, enabling the state to track progress and make informed decisions to improve service quality and infrastructure.

Through mobile technology, services like THR are being delivered efficiently to 1,740,36 pregnant women, 1,28,795 lactating mothers, and 12,05,382 children aged 6 months to 3 years. Additionally, 4,50,505 children aged 3 to 6 years are being provided hot cooked meals daily. The state has also introduced egg supplementation in AWCs using state budget funds to enhance children's protein and nutrition intake.

The ability to digitally share nutrition and health awareness content, track immunization schedules, and report real-time data has significantly improved service delivery, especially in remote and rural areas. More importantly, it has strengthened the engagement between Sevikas and the community—ensuring welfare services reach the most vulnerable.

In parallel, the government is actively upgrading AWC infrastructure. Recently, essential utensils were provided to all centres, and 16,775 AWCs have been prioritized for improvements including LED TVs, RO water systems, electricity connections, fans, toilets, and safe drinking water.

Moreover, the state has identified over 1,200 tribal-dominated villages for the establishment of new Anganwadi Centres aimed at delivering nutrition, health, and early education services to tribal communities. Recruitment of new Sevikas and Sahiyas for these centres is also underway.

Today, Anganwadi Centres are not just service delivery points—they are becoming catalysts for progress and opportunity in the spirit of Abua Sarkar (Our Government).